Lucid Talk poll shows support for special status & strong support for the DUP & Sinn Fein

Lucid Talk released a poll today (commissioned by the GUE/NGL group in the EU Parliament). They have some really interesting findings.

Broken down into those who identify as Unionist or Nationalists;

Another interesting statistic from the poll is the current levels of party support in Northern Ireland (Good news for the DUP & Sinn Fein);

Some Thoughts

Obviously it’s one poll and the usual caveats apply about a simple snap shot in time.

The level of support for Irish reunification is noteworthy, I cannot remember a poll in any recent years that in a certain context had support levels so high for unity. Whether this can be sustained is another thing, but those of us who would like to see this happen now have some narrative to build upon to make a different case to those who might not have looked at this issue before.

Whilst, Nationalists have to adjust to some new realities, it’s clear that Unionism has to aswell. In her conference speech, Arlene Foster referenced the fact that the positive case for the Union has not always been put out there. Evidence from the past week shows there is still a lot of work to do and that simply shouting “stop supporting Dublin” is not a forward strategy.

Meanwhile back on the ranch, the support for the DUP/Sinn Fein is holding firm. From those number neither have much to fear from another election whilst the other parties continue to decline in support within the polarised environment. It is worth noting that Sinn Fein and the DUP’s support alone is more than the SDLP/UUP/Alliance Parties combined.